Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was quickest in a rain-hit first practice session for this weekend’s Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

The rain got harder as the session roared on and the times understandably got slower as a result.

Italian Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci was just over five one hundredths of a second behind while local hope Jack Miller put in an impressive performance as he hunts a second win of the season following his surprise triumph at Assen in June.

Miller slotted in ahead of Spanish Honda rider Marc Marquez, who wrapped up the 2016 title last weekend in Japan to become the youngest three-time world champion.

In Australia, Marquez will be hunting a sixth race win of the season.

The Australia stop is the 16th of 18 races this season and with Marquez locking down the title early it’s now al about who finishes runner-up.

Multiple world champion Valentino Rossi is currently second with his Yamaha teammate and 2015 world champ and Jorge Lorenzo third 14 points adrift.

Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales is fourth in the standings ahead of Sunday’s race 17 points further back.